One of those days...

 I'll ask but I know the answer. Have you ever had one of those days when it seems like all that comes to mind is: my friends are against me; I never hear from my family; Why can't I ever do anything right; I feel so all alone; why doesn't anyone ever call me; and all the shoulda's, woulda's, coulda's...? Ever had one of those ? or two or maybe a week or month?

All through my life seasons, those days have popped in and out of my thoughts. They seem to come from nowhere and everywhere. Seems like out of the blue, I'm just fine, no problems and then there those thoughts are. Well, guess what? I actually have an answer and even a means to get rid of them. So, here it is.

Several years ago I came across a book titled "Battlefield of the Mind". In this writing the author gives examples of just what I started this blog with, all those unwanted thoughts. You may or may not be familiar with the author but I have actually learned from her book how to not just control the popping in and out of such negative and sometimes debilitating thinking. The author hits the nail on the head about where the thoughts come from and how to get rid of them and even the fact, yup, fact that we don't have to think those thoughts. Joyce Meyer is the author of this relevant book. I keep the book and refer to it as needed and I loan it out. That's where it is now.

Just a couple of days ago, later in the day the thoughts I'm talking about began to very slowly present themselves to me. For a while I allowed them, even considered and got somewhat emotional about them and then...I realized! 

First thing to understand in my case I was unusually tired. Vulnerable to such emotional thinking as I this day. I didn't just think about one scenario but several different instances that I didn't think I was important to the ones I thought I should receive additional care and attention from. The thoughts continued to become a problem in that a tear rolled down my cheek...

It was that tear that got my attention. I realized what had been happening and what was going on in my thoughts. All negative. In each area, there wasn't anything I could do to fix anything. That was another attention get'er. That's when I said, "self, just stop, stop with the thoughts"!  I absolutely changed my mind. You can do that! Yup, you can! Sometimes it can be more difficult any you have to be tenacious, but if you are a believer in Jesus then you have help. 

All throughout the Bible are the words "ask". To go along with that word are the words "I will answer". Lots of people look at God as a man and refer to him as "the man upstairs". But, he is not a man. He is God and he doesn't lie. Man does that, Satan who is the father of lies does that...but God does not lie. Not ever. Not even once has he lied. So, if you ask for help, he will answer.

First things first, you don't have to think on everything that pops into your mind.                               Second, change your mind. Think about something pleasant. (ya have to be persistent)                      Third, ask

It's easy to think we are the only one going through tough things. That's just not true. If you are having a hard time, with anything, there's always someone who has been there before you. Just knowing that can help defray the intensity. Then if you start talking about it, that also helps you hear what you are saying, which in turn helps to think about what you are saying and does what you are saying make sense? 

I have a really good friend who is my sounding board. Most of the time she doesn't have any comment. She just let's me talk. I usually hear what I've been thinking and realize that some of it just is unimportant in the scheme of things. 

Hope this is helpful for someone. Thought it somehow needed. The Joyce Meyer book "Battlefield of the Mind" is highly recommended by many and by me.

This is once again Judy...Published Author ;) at my new computer arrangement in the cottage. Blessings as you come and go throughout the week ahead.

 

Oh What a Beautiful Morning...

 Every morning Milo and I go for a walk around the apartment complex we live in. This particular morning the air was just a little bit crisp! So out of the ordinary for this year's SW Texas Summer temps. A wonderful indicator of the changing season. It's been a hotter Summer than last year, even the cotton crop shows the result of days and days of over 100 degrees. Welcome Fall, to Lubbock, Texas. We are all glad you're here.

These are beautiful days but there is a bit of an anxious feeling in the air around me.  I keep thinking that there will be an email announcing that the book is ready. But, there are still a few hurdles between then and now. There's so much ahead of me when the book actually is in my hand and it's all unknown to me. I love adventure and even the unknown ahead brings a bit of excitement along with just a tad of "can I do this?", and yet I know I can because He is going before me, actually has already paved the way through the marketing aspect. So, with pending eagerness, I wait!

In the mean time my new to me refurbished PC died with a audible bang and I sent it back to the refurbisher today and the refund will be back into my bank account fairly soon.  One thing has led to another and I've decided to hook up my computer monitor to my Acer Chromebook and use what I have to continue to write my next book.

Oh, have I mentioned there is another one cooking in my head and heart? Anyway, I have  MicroSoft Office on the Chromebook which is what the publisher wants the manuscript typed in for their publishing purposes. It's gonna work just fine for my purposes and won't be out any monies for a computer.  And, I know whose provision it is and I'm thankful that He provides the ideas to "just keep swimming". (a "Nemo" reference) 

I just have to say this because it's part of what's going on in my life at 79. So, this is it...I'm so amazed that this is happening at this time in my life. I do think I've been prepared through the years for where I am now and for however long it lasts, I'm loving the challenge. Life is exciting and each day is great to wake up to.  

Speaking of imagination, I've bought and gotten ride of several 2 drawer file cabinets over the past 10 years and I just bought another...because I don't have one right at the time I found the one I now have. It was a pale blue with white handles and it is now white with white handles. I cleaned it up, spray painted it white and it's in it's place with files in the drawers! Now maybe I will be able to find things. I got it at the ReStore for $8.00 on sale. Yes the drawers work just fine...I thought you might be wondering...

This has been a long post and it's getting late and I'm calling it a night. 

I'm Judy in the cottage with Milo curled up in his round bed sleeping and I'm heading there too, to bed that is.  God bless you one and all. Thank you for reading this entry. I've enjoyed writing. And, please leave a comment, it let's me know you are out there and what you are thinking.  'Til next time. Don't forget to breathe now and then.

The Book...Excerpt

How does lite conversation about people change to distructive conversation? Why do we talk about other people anyway? Really? I can think of examples that seem admirable like: Talking about the child that made straight A’s. Or the one that plays volley ball and how fun it is to watch. Even the girlfriend who won a blue ribbon at the Fair this year. Or about the new neighbor that moved in next door and how glad it to have someone in the empty house. And, how about yourself and how you made a big batch of chocolate chip cookies that were delicious. Is there anything wrong about this kind of talk? I don’t think so. It all seems to be positive and encouraging and fun, uplifting, light and interesting.

But real gossip doesn’t sound like that at all. In fact real gossip has common words that introduce what’s coming. How does gossip start? What happens to those leading sentences that makes them turn into gossip. I have noticed that sometimes when there is a break in conversation or a silence that it seems to be a set up for gossip to enter in. You might just pay attention to this and check it out to see if it’s true.

Word starters that signal gossip just entered the room and often introduce the invisable third person. Often when there’s a lull in the conversation you might hear:

“Did you know?“My friend told me”“You heard that?”“I have a prayer request for”“I saw and they

said”“I heard”

Notice that conversations are not usually whispered! A hand is not held up to shield our mouths as we spread our opinion, assumptions and speculation of what someone told. That is not our normal posture or body language when we are gossiping. The set up is normally casual and we just talk over a cup of coffee or on the phone or maybe as we visit on a Summer evening in the back yard as in this particular story of a short visit with a neighbor. We Joke and laugh often at someone else's expense.

This is how people are relating tol one another. It’s what we do. We’ve been doing it, I guess since the beginning of ever. 

**taken from Chapter Two, Without Spot or Wrinkle by Judy Chase (that's me)

Gonna be a few more weeks, they say before, I actually have a book in hand. In the mean time planning my marketing tactics. But I'll talk about that next time.

In the recliner, watching a Christmas movie of all things! Blessed and totally comfy. Leave a comment if you'd like. Sure am interested in what you have to say. Judy here on a Monday night.

Honestly Speaking

 Well hello! I have a favor to ask of you.

I know, I don't have any leverage over anyone who stops in on my blog so I'm not trying to pull something here.  Really!

Look, I don't claim to be old or anything!!! But, I am aware that I'm not up on all the ways and means of blogging. I haven't read up on the whys and wherefores', etiquette or anything. Honestly speaking, I just got on here, opened/signed up for a blog and here I am. I don't know what is customary and another thing, I'm trying to get my post read by more than 7 people. Well, one time it was 9.

So here's my request after all that honesty. I'd love to hear from YOU, If you've gotten this far in this writing this time around. Would you please comment? I would like some encouragement in writing here. And...

If you are feeling gracious and have the time and inclination leave a comment on how I might draw readers. I know, I know...I've sorta read how to do that but...I don't get it. Plain and simple. I added words that I think will pull up when people search and other than that, what else.

Should I try to make money like a lot of bloggers do? 

Is it possible that my subject matter isn't interesting enough?

Don't like my style? (if that's what ya' call it)

I sure need some advice, some help, some kind words if you are so inclined. And if it's my age, well, it is what it is! 

Should I have a specific topic of conversation throughout all my posts. Like should my blog only cover or talk about a specific topic? Would that be read?

I also know it's a busy time in this world, I hope some, more than one of those who pass through, will leave a generous comment and help this blogger/writer out.

Yours truly, Judy

the pic is of me and the museum artifact behind me...a group day trip.

 There it is...the front cover of my first ever book to be released soon. I'm just thrilled about becoming a published author at 79.  Would have never, never imagined that this could possibility become a reality for me.

I've been writing a long time but not for publishing. Mostly journaling over the past 10 years. I have written some stories but never published or even really thought it possible. And, yes this is a self published book. Let me explain...

Use to be there were publishing company's that would evaluate a manuscripts, decide whether or not they thought it would sell, hand the author a big check, publish the book with very little revenue going to the author.  Well they won't take a manuscript to even look at it. They won't accept a manuscript unless you are already a best selling author. Then there is a protocol to follow. 

Today, if you want to have a manuscript to publish you can but you have to pay up front or some will allow a payment plan. Your manuscript is received if it follows the publisher requirements. So for me to get published I had to have a particular amount of words. Mine exceeded 300K.  Then it had to be typed in MSWord.  

This type of publishing use to be called Vanity Press mainly because the author was charged a large amount to have the manuscript published. Not true anymore. Because the Self Publisher changed their way of publishing and the costs they are quickly becoming the best way to get a manuscript published. 

There are a couple of other options and they may all be free, I don't know.  Ebooks through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and there may be others. You can always google and find more information.

So, for me it was the best choice to find a Christian Publisher first then look for the least expensive I could find and then contact them to see what i would have to do. My next move as it get's closer to release is to arrange publicity for it's release and I don't know anything about that..

Very shortly I will be finding out what I need to do and how to do it...I'll be doing a post about that when I know anything....

It's Saturday, I'm in the cottage with Milo and it's not yet noon in Lubbock, Texas with an afternoon temp of 98...that's hot!

Hope you have a good weekend....later

For the Senior Citizens-Open your blinds

 I just wrote a post yesterday. And now I'm back because I wanted to change my picture to a more current one and the one I like best. In that process it occurred to me that I've gotten one comment and it's from a local fried of mine. Every time I post, I look at the stats to see if anyone is stopping  by in to read. There are a few sometimes and none at other times. 

The reason I have this blog is because my book is about to be available to anyone who wants to read it either in paper back or e book "Without Spot or Wrinkle" is the title. I read somewhere that I should have a website so that's the first reason I set this one up. Also I've had other's in the past. Some I lost all the posts and a couple are somehow attached to this blog.

First, I just like to write. Second, I have things to say to my age group that I believe are helpful and encouraging in the living day to day. If you are a senior and you read my post...any or all...please, oh please leave a comment. If you aren't a long typer just to say hello would be great. I have no other purpose for asking this of my readers other than to be encouraged in the hello. You become more than a number to me and I'd love that.

If you have something on your mind, I'd love to read about it...maybe, maybe I can help, or not. I'd really like to get some conversation going...two way. So, please consider leaving a comment and let me know you've read a post and even what you think of it, and of course be kind even if it's negative.

As a side note, and fyi, I live in a senior low income housing complex. All my neighbors are seniors. Some are very active and others are on the low end of active and the ones I'm referencing aren't disabled. I don't know them all or even most, just a few. At least half no longer drive. I drive a Toyota, standard shift. 

Anyway, I just wanted to put that out there in hopes that I might get some comments on the posts I put up. Hope you will and appreciate those that read whether comments are left or not...

I'm Judy in my cottage with the sun blaring through my front window leaving stripes from the blinds all over the carpet, chair and wall. It's a beautiful morning in Texas.

The book is in Production

It is!....Hello! They will let me know when it's time to proof their work on the inside and cover. Can hardly wait to see what they have designed for the cover. Also there were some issues with the picture of my painting of geese. It came out blurry though it was the 300 dpi required. So, I don't know what will show up. I sent one more picture of the painting. The painting is made up of 3 canvas' and they hang together to make one long progressive painting. So, I sent the last painting picture which is of large geese closeup and I hope it looks better and that it can be used. The issue is that there is text about the painting itself, making reference to it in a couple of places. So, if there isn't a picture.....

It's all so surreal that I'm gonna be a published writer. I just hope people read it.  AND, I'm on the third chapter of the next book. It was expensive to pay for this self publish and so far the payment process is working out with God's help along the way.  I don't really want to go through this aspect of publishing again though, so, I'm going to see what else there is. It doesn't hurt to rethink and re-investigate the ways and means of publishing. Maybe because I will have a book published it will be possible to do things differently. I'll surely let you know.

The next book is about what God is actually asking us to do with the 10 commandments. It's interesting as I go through the studying of it. I'm finding out so many things that I just never thought of before regarding the commandments and how truly pivotal it is in His relationship with mankind. No title yet. It will be jazzy though. I did a Bible Study at a friends house on Sunday and the subject was my new book. I thought it might help me gain some insight...I'm glad I did but it wasn't as fruitful as I'd hoped.

We will be doing a study on Revelation in the next couple of months leading up to Christmas. Should be interesting. We will be using a Max Lucado book on Revelation.

I'm still in the Cottage writing, listening to music, Milo is sleeping on his big round pillow. All is well with me and mine. I'm Judy and I really like to write, even when there doesn't seem to be anything terrifically interesting to say.  Thanks for dropping in.  I'll be back